any chart wanted by the named and numbered index on the lower margin of each chart, the handle being moved clockwise. "Fig. 3 shows the beginning of the operation of closing the rack by rolling the charts tightly into the dust-proof cover, the handle being rotated counter-clock "The dust proof cover is a single length of Pantasote or similar material of chart width carrying a standard steel rod at wise. each end. One of these rods is supported "Fig. 4 shows the rack completely by hooks on the baseboard and when it is closed. Fig. 2. Locating chart wanted by named and numbered index on lower Locomotive Stokers." Charts necessary to properly illustrate Air Brake Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., at the No. 6 ET Equipment. In this rack a very reasonable price. the heavier rods used do not spring into position, as in the No. 1 Rack, but, by removing two small screws, the end plate of the cylindrical cap may be rotated so as to permit the passing of the supporting rods through the hole in the cylindrical cap, and the doubled end of the chart itself in any of the twelve positions desired. The cover is attached to the rack at the slotted position in the cylindrical caps, so that the rack end of the cover may be readily lifted in or out of position. Installation and Operation. "After mounting the racks, spring the cover rod permanently into the closed have been afforded to observe a much "During the past year opportunities larger number of stokers in service, many of them working in pool runs, which rather strengthens the belief that they are capable of going along, faring under the usual average attention given a locomotive, without developing prominent or serious defects that result in materially increasing terminal turning time. The most natural inquiry would refer to the durability of such machines as a whole. hook-eyes located at the lower edge of the baseboard. The roll may then be tightened, thereby making it dust proof, by moving the handle counter-clockwise. To unroll, move the handle in the opposite direction, being careful in this operation to keep the roll tight until the charts fall into position by their own weight with the fold of the cover behind; otherwise, the weight of the charts, when the handle is first moved in the clockwise direction, may pull the cover over the front of the rack. "The racks are neatly finished, occupy minimum wall space, are extremely simple and convenient in operation, and preserve the charts absolutely free from dust and dirt when not in use." For educational and instructive purposes these Charts and Chart Racks are a valuable acquisition to any lodge room or instruction room of railroad men and may be obtained from the Westinghouse It goes without saying that the stoker, with all of its parts, is susceptible to wear, but those in service have no doubt surpassed the general expectation. They require attention and repairs, but the cost figures are not excessive, considering the stage of development through which they are passing. There is no particular work the firemen can do in the way of making repairs on the road, but attention on their part, though slight as a rule, is beneficial and helpful toward preventing failures. The performance of the stokers in service during the past year has served to show what must be met in the way of durability, and what is necessary to withstand the operating strain. Alterations are now in progress looking toward stronger and more durable machines, which should in *Abstract from report of the committee on mechanical stokers to the forty-seventh annual convention of the at Atlantic City, N. J., June 15, 16 and 17, 1911. American Railway Master Mechanics' Association held turn favorably affect the cost of mainte- Dynamometer tests have shown that the nance. "It is noteworthy that when the demands upon the boiler are fairly uniform, permitting a regular feed of coal, the operation of the stoker practically takes care of itself, but, in the absence of automatic manipulation, manual control does not always result in efficient regulation of the fire, on the contrary, the boiler, if any thing, is allowed to blow off more than necessary, not only under working conditions, but quite freely when the demands are reduced, and when the engine is not using steam, carrying with it some waste of fuel, due, however, to want of attention. Then, again, there is some tendency, through neglect, to allow the fire to get low while standing on the road, making rebuilding necessary; still with the stoker the fire is readily revived, and little, if any, time is lost thereby. "It is still a mooted question as to whether it is economical to use run-ofmine or screened coal. Both schemes are worthy of consideration, depending upon local conditions, and in the same way that it is necessary a road contemplating the use of stokers can only work out the advantages to be gained after taking into consideration the physical character of the road, the size of engines, and the tonnage now being handled, it should ascertain whether upon taking into account all local conditions it is more profitable to use the screened or run-of-mine coal. capacity of the locomotive is increased, and according to further reports made by the Pennsylvania Railroad an increase approximating 5 per cent in trainload with the Crawford stoker for an equal amount of fuel hand-fired has been obtained. The Baltimore and Ohio reports an increase in train tonnage from 5 to 10 per cent. In both, however, it should be remembered that the differences indicating increased capacity were largely dependent upon local conditions. The Hocking Valley advises, in connection with the Street stoker, that they are using fuel known in the Hocking Valley district as 'coarse slack.' It is coal that passes through a -inch mesh screen. As for fuel consumption, the Hocking Valley reports that no definite tests have been made, adding, however, that their fuel record showing consumption of coal per engine per 1000 miles does not indicate there has been any reduction in fuel per 1000 ton-miles, but that the grade of coal used is purchased at about 40 per cent less than run-of-mine. "In tests made on the Norfolk and Western Railway it was found with one of the scatter-type stokers that there was a considerable increase in coal consumption using Pocahontas slack as compared with Pocahontas run-of-mine hand-fired. The difference in quantity of coal consumed as between screened coal stokerfired and run-of-mine hand-fired was found to diminish as the physical character approached the run-of-mine, or a product containing a less amount of fine material. While standing along the road it is quite necessary, as can be readily ap preciated, to occasionally watch the fire in order to keep it in proper condition and in readiness, especially where slack fuel is used, as the depth of the fire is relatively lighter, but it is not materially unlike what is needed for efficient and economical hand-firing. "As for fuel consumption, it has been pretty clearly shown that the amount of coal used by the stoker (as to some extent obtains in hand firing) largely depends upon the physical character of fuel rather than the heat value, so long as the latter is within a reasonable range. The establishment of data to show the relative fuel consumption by hand firing as compared with the operation of the stoker was sought, but so far there seems to be very little statistical information in such shape as to permit a general ready com- "The fuel consumption seems to vary parison to be made. At the same time almost in proportion to the physical finesome very complete tests have been con- ness of the coal used in stoker firing with ducted under a range of operating condi- the scatter-type machines, a percentage tions, character of fuel, etc., but none of of the lighter material being evidently them permit conclusions to be drawn drawn through the tubes by the heavy acwithout taking into consideration the tion of the draft. Using Pocahontas nutcharacter of fuel and conditions under which the highest efficiency was obtained. In order to make a true comparison, therefore, it is necessary to ascertain and fully account for local conditions, character and price of fuel. "The year's experience seems to give color to the belief that the stoker is not necessarily a coal-saving device, but that its advantages tend in other directions. stoker-fired and run-of-mine hand firing, the consumption figures are not far apart. From this it would appear that with the higher volatile coals containing a smaller amount of fine product, the consumption of fuel as between hand-fired and stokerfired should be very close. It also seems evident that though the consumption increases as the coal becomes finer in character, the stoker is better able to main tain steam with it than might be secured Watches may be submitted for test by on an average hand-fired. individuals, by wholesale or retail dealers "With reference to the emission of in watches, or by the manufacturers. The smoke It was mentioned in the com- watches may be delivered personally at mittee's last year's report in substance the Bureau of Standards at Washington that, as combustion is improved in stoker or sent by express. In either case they firing as against irregular hand firing, should reach the Bureau not later than there should be some diminution in smoke. the day before the test begins. The Class Some observers have reported that with a A test is intended for watches adjusted to thin fire and conditions otherwise favor- at least five positions, temperature and able, stoker firing, as with hand firing isochronism and lasts 54 days. The Class well executed, little objectionable smoke B test, which lasts 40 days, is for watches is emitted, but as the difference in the range of operating conditions and character of fuel are usually so large, a liberal view must be taken of what might be expected. Your committee has not had the opportunity to make extensive investigations, but has received reports that when the feeds are not forced beyond the limits of complete combustion, the reduction in smoke is longer maintained with the underfeed than with the scatter types, on account of the fuel being delivered up through the bed of the fire as combustion progresses, under conditions of service and character of fuel suitable to their present stage of development. "Following the presentation of our last year's report on this subject, some very interesting remarks were made with reference to contemplated experiments with pulverized fuel on locomotives. It is un adjusted to at least three positions and temperature. The test for the position adjustment includes the running of the watches in each of the five or three positions for periods of three days each, followed by a second series of periods in the same positions taken in the reverse order. This is followed in the Class A test by an isochronism test consisting of readings of the correction of the watch made every three hours from the time the watch is wound until it runs down, to determine the uniformity of the rate throughout the day. The test of temperature adjustment follows. It is conducted in the same way for both classes of tests and consists of determinations of the daily rates over fiveday periods at 5°, 20° and 35° C (41°, 68° and 95° Fahrenheit). derstood that the New York Central has The accuracy with which the watches made some investigations in connection repeat at the end their rates at the beginwith the use of such fuel on switching ning of the trials is found by a final locomotives, and that the Pennsylvania period of three days in the same position Railroad has also given it some considera- as the first period, that is, with the watch tion, but in neither case have they any in a vertical position with the pendant up. thing of interest to offer." Watch Test to be Conducted by the The Bureau of Standards announces that the second test of watches will begin on Tuesday, August 11th, for Class A watches, while that for Class B will begin fourteen days later, on August 25th. These tests were inaugurated in April, and are intended for the benefit of owners or prospective purchasers of high grade adjusted timepieces, and consist of determinations of the accuracy of the adjustments of a watch for position, temperature and isochronism. The daily rates of the watches under various conditions are observed and certain criterions are applied to the results to ascertain whether the timepiece is adjusted to a reasonable degree of accuracy. Certificates of performance are granted to watches of which the rates fall within certain tolerances. The tolerances which a watch must 2. Mean Deviation of Rate Difference of +0.75 sec. ± 3.00" +10.0 66 |